A Delta Air Lines plane nearly flipped after crash landing in Canada, sparking concerns and an official investigation.
A Delta Air Lines flight made headlines after it flipped upside down during a crash landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17, 2025.
The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900, had taken off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Fortunately, all 76 passengers and four crew members survived the incident, with only 18 requiring hospitalization for their injuries.
A Delta Air Lines plane nearly flipped after crash landing in Canada
Images and videos from the scene showed the airplane lying upside down on the snowy runway and missing one of its wings.
These dramatic visuals sparked many questions about how a plane could end up in such a position after landing.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed gratitude to the emergency responders and the airline’s team members for their quick actions.
He assured the public that the airline is investigating and will provide updates.
“The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today’s incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement.
“I want to express my thanks to the many Delta and Endeavor team members and the first responders on site.
We are working to confirm the details and will share the most current information as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, please take care and stay safe.”
Aviation experts explain the cause of Delta aircraft flipping upside down after a Canadian crash landing
After the accident, several aviation experts began to analyze the situation.
Many believe that extreme weather conditions played a significant role in causing the aircraft to flip.
Peter Goelz, an aviation analyst, suggested that a strong gust of wind might have struck the plane as it touched down, leading to the dramatic flip.
Scott Hamilton, another aviation expert, echoed this sentiment.
He mentioned that strong winds combined with snowy conditions could have contributed to the aircraft’s unusual landing.
Pilots find landings more challenging as they navigate complications caused by such weather factors.
Modern aircraft are designed for safety.
Despite the fear of a plane flipping over, experts noted that engineers design modern aircraft to handle such situations.
John Cox stated that although rare, planes are designed to withstand significant stress in emergencies.
“We’ve seen a couple of cases of takeoffs where aeroplane have ended up inverted, but it’s pretty rare,” John Cox, CEO of aviation safety consulting firm Safety Operating Systems stated.
Mike McCormick, an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, added that planes are engineered so that critical parts, like wings and tails, can break away safely in the event of a crash.
Additionally, engineers design passenger seats to withstand forces far greater than those typically experienced during a landing.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the causes.
Authorities are currently investigating the incident to determine the exact causes of the crash.
They are examining everything from weather conditions to mechanical issues.
The goal is to understand what led to the plane flipping upside down and to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation, collaborating closely with Delta Air Lines and other agencies.
They will analyze flight data and cockpit recordings to gain insights into the events leading up to the crash.